Pressing machine



J1me 1, J. E. ERHCKSON 2320,57

PRESSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l IN ENTOR ATTORNEY June 3 3943. .1. E. ERICKSON PRES SING MACHINE FiledFeb. 16, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l VENTOR 2420 5. BY

ATTORN EY June a, 19 23.

J. E. ERBCKSQN PRESSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 1, 1943. J. 55. ERICKSON 42,329,857

PRESSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 19.59

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR BY %%J% ATTORNEY n 1,1943 J. E; mus-O 2,320,851

PRESSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 VENTOR M a Q/ ATTORNEY V P........i June 1,1943

UNITED STATES; ATENT" OFFICE-2 raiissmdmcnmn John Erick Erickson, Pawtucket I. assignor to Raymond nes emcumbnna'ar.

sppuci'ititii February 1c, 1939, Serial No. 256,709

. 4-0iaims. (Cl. 38- 38) My present invention relates to pressing ma- Fig. 12 isa fragmentary detail of the clutch chines, and more particularlyto power pressing lever latch spring; machines designed forhand operation. Fig. 13 is a detailed view of the starting lever It is the principal object of mm invention to latch; v provide a pressing machine .constructed of a ,5 Fig. 14 is a'perspective view of the starting small number of working parts, which is easily operated to produce an improved pressing of garments and the like.

. Another object of my invention is to provide an arrangement which has a high pressing pressure and thus increases the eiilciency o! the pressing operation.

An additional object of vide a control mechanism for manually regulating the pressure, whereby the machine is readily adapted to press different kinds of materials. A further object of my invention is to provide a construction which utilizes an automatic timing device selectively controlling the pressing time, in accordance with the judgment of the operator. Still another object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism so that the operation my invention is to pro;

can be instantly changed from automatic to hand control, and vice versa.

Still another object of my invention is to pro ide a safety control for pressing machines, so that it is impossible for the operator to have his hands caught, or ior the machine to operate prematurely.

' of Fig. 21;

lever rod, partly broken away, showing the operating cams;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view on the line 15-15 of Fi 1;

Figs. 16 and 17 are respectively .plan andv side views of the electrical contact switch, Fig. 16 being partly broken away;

Figs. 18 and 18a are respectively side and front views, partly broken away, of the mechanism for changing from automatic to manual control;

Fig. 19 is a front the automatic timing mechanism;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged sectional detail on the line 20-20 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of Fig. 1, parts being omitted;

Fig. 22. is a sectional detail on the line 22-22 Fig. 23 is a sectional of Fig. 21; v

Fig. 24'is a sectional detail on the line 24-24 of detail on line 23-23 Fig. 21;

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, the invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more-specifically defined in the claims appended thereto.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the novel pressing machine;

Fig. 2 is a sectional detailed view showing the motor operating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a front detail of the pressure lever;

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detailed mechanism; Fig. 7 is a sectional detail lever mechanism; T Figs. 8 and 9 are detailed views showing difierent positions of the clutch mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig.9, but showing the other side thereof; Fig. 11 is a sectional ratus;

views of the timing showing the starting detail of the clutch appa- Fig; 25 is a front elevation of the base showing the control levers;

Fig. 26 is a perspective view of a modified form of control mechanism; I

Fig. 2'7 is a detailed perspective view of a modified latch mechanism; and

Fig. 28 is a side elevation, parts being broken away, of the modified central control lever.

Referring to the drawings, the novel invention includes a pressure lever arrangement for bringing a movable head into pressing engagement with a pressing buck, through tion of an electric motor. The to the pressure lever mechanism, and the clutch is either automatically or manually actuated as view of the timing dial for controlled .actua motor is clutched A control system istwo separate levers in order to accomplish the pressing operation.

The pressure lever. mechanism The pressing machine includes a fixed pressing buck and a movable head, the movable head being operated by a pressure lever system so as to apply a predetermined, manually adjustable, pressure to the buck. ated by means of a clutch mechanism which is manually QQQtlQllQdfor operation from an elec- 'I'he lever system is actutric motor, or may be automatically controlled actuates a worm 3| by means of a coupling 32, 5 the worm being mounted for rotation in a suit- -ablesupport bracket 33. The worm 3| is opera-- tively geared to a gear wheel'34, which is rotatably mounted on a cross shaft 35 suitably supported in the frame-work 33 plurality of clutch teeth 31 project laterally from one side of the gear wheel, and are adapted to be engaged by a cooperating pin 33, see Fig. 9, which is slidably mounted in a bore 39, Fig. 11, I in a clutch body 43, such clutch rotatably mounted on the shaft 35 in parallel spaced relation to the gear wheel 34. The clutch pin 38 is inserted into or withdrawn from engagement with the clutch teeth 31, in accordance function as spring retainers to accommodate com- Y of the machine. A

body being also with oscillating'movements'of a clutch lever 4i mounted on a support bearing 42 which is secured to one face of the clutch body 43. An aligning pin 43 is preferably provided, see Fig. 10, to guide the oscillating movements of the lever 4|, and a latch spring 44, provided on the clutch body to releasably retain the lever in clutching or declutching position, the lever 4I being manually controlled, as hereinafter described.

upper end of the pin of a strap 3| held fast see Figs. 10, 11 and 12, is

The clutch body 43 is U-shaped in cross-section, as indicated in Fig. 11, to provide a slot or space 45 for accommodating a link 43, the link being pivoted at 45a to the clutch body. Thelink 45 operates a toggle mechanism generally designated as 41, see Fig. ,1, for moving pressing engagement with the fixed buck 49, which is rigidly positioned on 'the frame 36.

The toggle device 41 includes two' spaced arms 53, shaped as illustrated in Fig. 3, a cross shaft 5I being mounted between the two arms 53 to support a rocker 52, the lower end of said rocker being pivotally connected to the link 45. The upper end of the rocker 5| is slidably mounted in a slot in the lower end-of a curved arm 54, the curved .movable head against the fixed buck, with small expenditure of operating power. It has head 48 into as arm 54 being pivotally mounted adjacent its upper end, as indicated at 55, between the upper ends of the arms 53. An adjustment link 56 is pivotally mounted at the upper end of the curved arm; 54, and comprises a lower socket member ment. Lever 85 has an 51"?and an upper rod 53, the rodand the socket I member being correspondingly threaded to permit adjustable variation of the length of the adjustment link. The rod 53 has a reduced neck portion 53, Fig. 22, at its upper end, and terminates in a manually graspable hand wheel 53 for length adjustment, the reduced neck 53 being rotatably mounted in a block 5|, see Fig. 22, which is pivotally secured as at 52 to an inner housing member 53, which in turn is pivoted as at 54 to an outer housing member 55 in the movable head no pressure lever 55, which as shown in Fig. 21, con-' sists of an open frame pivotally mounted on a cross shaft 33 suitably supported in the frame 35. A strap 53a may be mounted on the arms 53 to prevent backward movement of the toggle 35 parts.

As shown in Fig. 22, the inner housing is 'resiliently attached to the outer housing by means of a compression spring which is positioned on a headed rod 13 extending through both houslugs, the upper end of the rod .being threaded for engagement with an adjusting nut 1 I, whereby the compression of the-spring 53 and the resuiting cushioning action of the pressing p esw mounted on .a bolt retainer I31 urging the memis controlled.

The front end of the frame 51 is resiliently pivotally secured to the pressure .head 43, by means of resilient end connections and a pivotal central bearing, ashereinaiter described. The and connections are shown in Fig. 23, and consist of a crossbar 12 at each end of the open frame, havinga pair of sockets 13 at each end, which sockets crossbar 12 and engages a seating boss 11 on the head 48.

As shown in Figs. 21 and 24, the central hearing arrangement includes a cross plate 13 which is preferably integral with the cross bar 12, the plate 18 having a vertical bore in which a pivot pin 19 is slidably mounted, the lower end of the pivot pin being roundedto seat in 9. correspondingly rounded socket 33 in the head 43, and the engaging the under side to the plate 13 at one end by a bolt 32, and resiliently held at the other end by a spring-pressed regulating .bolt 33. This arrangement compensates for all inequalities of the head with respect to the buck and to thegarment to be pressed, and insures a proper levelling of the pressing head during the pressing operation. The specific linkage relation of the toggle mechanism ensures a maximum pressure of the a very therefore been found feasible and practical to use a small quarter horse-powerelectric motor and produce a very high pressing pressure.

I have devised a timing mechanism and timing control which permits the operator to manually engage or operate the pressing machine, or to set the machine so as to automatically open-after a predetermined time interval.

Referring now to Fig. 15, the control mecha-- nism includes three levers 85, 85, and 31, the levers being respectively manually actuated to close the electrical circuit to the motor, to stop the machine, and to initiate the clutching moveextension rod 33 which slides in a suitable bore provided in the framework, and is pivotally connected at its end to a cross' lever 89f which is pivoted as indicated at 33 at one end to the framework. A compression spring BI is positioned on the pivot end of the rod 83, and normally urges the lever 83 outwardly. The other end of the lever, see Fig. '1, is pivotally connected to a link 92, which in turn is pivotally connected to a latch lever 93, pivotally supported at 34 in the framework of the machine. The lower end of the latch lever has an opening 35, see Fig. 13, through which a latch rod 51 passes, (see Fig. 7) the latch rod having a notch 33 to releasably lock with the upper end of the opening 95. The latch rod is pivotally connected to the lever 31, which is pivotally mounted at its other end*99 to .the framework; also pivotally connected to the lever 31 at I33, Fig; '7, is a cam rod I3I which is slidably mounted at itsother end in the frame 35, in a suitable hearing. The inner end of the cam rod has two cams, see Fig. 14, consisting of a horizontal cam plate I32 and a vertical cam plate I33.

The cam plate I32 serves to actuate a member I34 which is hinged at its lower end I35 to the machine frame, a compression spring I35, Fig. 11,

ber I04 into engagement with the cam plate I02. Movement of the pivoted member I04 by the cam plate I02 forces the lower end of the clutch lever 4I inwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 11, to engage the clutch andthus move the toggle lever mechanism into operative position.

Referring now to Fig. 15, an auxiliary shaft I08 is mounted in the framework, and functions as a pivot mounting for two pawls I09, IIO, which are alike and are adjacent to each other, see Figs. 8 and 9. for engagement with ratchet teeth vI I I on the periphery of the clutch body. One ratchet pawl is. slightly longer than holding engagement without appreciable back lash. Each pawl is rotatably secured to the shaft I08, and has a slot II2 through which a pin II3 secured to the shaft extends, the slot being wider than the pin to allow a limited swing of the pawl. A spring blade II4 is connected to each pin, and resiliently engages its pawl to urge it into operative position.

Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, the operative engagement of the parts actuates the pressing mechanism by rotating the clutch body; when the proper pressing movement has been obtained, the clutch is automatically disengaged by contact of the other end II5 of the clutch lever II with a freely rotatable cam disk II 6, which causes'the.

other end of the clutch lever to move outwardly and withdraw the pin 38 from engagement with the clutch teeth 31. This stops the machine in pressing position, the duration of the pressing being either manually or automatically controlled.

Fixed to one end of the shaft I08 is a lever I I], see Fig. 2. which is pivotally connected at its outer end to a pull rod-H8, the pull rod being pivotally connected to the middle lever 86, A compression spring II9 is mounted on the pull rod 8', and pinned thereto so as to resiliently urge the pull rod inwardly when the middle lever 86 is manually pulled, the shaft I08 is rotated, and the pawls, I08, IIO are lifted out of engagement with the ratchet teeth III whereby the clutch body resumes its initial disengaged position. The disengaging movement results from a combination of tension springs I20 (see Fig. 1),

having one end fastened to the movable head and the other end to the framework, and a toggle breaking arrangement indicated at I2I in Fig. 1, and comprising a U-shaped saddle I22 in which is slidably mounted a headed rod I23 against in'sertable in either of two openings I32, I33, for

the other, to insure as hereinafter described. When the pin I 3I is positioned in opening I33, the adjustable link I34, which is pivotally connected to the upper end of the auxiliary lever I28, see Fig. 2, actuates a hook lever I35, the hook end I36 normally hooking over the edgeof the bar 80 for retaining the bar in operating position. When the lever 86 is pulled outwardly to stop the machine, the hook end I36 is lifted to release the bar 80 so that it will move under the action of spring 8|, the circuit and stop the motor.

Mounted in the same side of 'the machine ad-,

J'acent the free ends of the lever 88 is an electrical contact switch I31 of standard construction having a contact arm I38, normally kept in open position by the tension of a spring I38 (see Figs. 7, 15, 16 and 17), the block I4I pressing against the contact arm I38 therein. The contact arm I38 cooperates with a contact blade I40, forced into engagement therewith by pressure of a block of insulating material I4I, see Fig. 7, which is secured to one end of lever 03, Figs. 18, 18a, and Fig. 2; when the auxiliary lever I29 is shifted by a seating of the pin I3I with the opening I32, the

which a compression spring I24 acts, the head of the rod I23 thus resiliently pressing against the lower end of the rocker 52 to tend to break the toggle. The above described arrangement permits manual control of the pressing operation, the mechanism being started and released at the will of the operator.

Also mounted on the shaft I08 is a hook lever I25, see Fig. 7, which isflxed on the shaft and has a spring arm I26 to which a tension spring I21 is connected as illustrated. When the lever.8I is in clutch engaging position, the spring I27 will swing the shaft I08 so as to bring the pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth. The hook end I28 of the hook lever I25 cooperates with the cam plate I03, see Fig. 7, and thus positively in.- sures engagement with and disengagement from the teeth of the pawls in accordance with the movement of the hand lever 81.

In addition to releasing the clutch body, the lever 86 'ly engageable handle I44,

hook end I36 is brought (partly) upwardly, so as A dial I42, see Figs- 19 and 15, is mounted. on the side of the framework, and is marked to indicate different pressing times; a movable pointer I43 is operatively connected to a manualsee Fig. 20. so as to be set for any desired timing on the dial .I42, the

handle being keyed to a shaft I45 which is slidably mounted in the frame work, and is slidably urged outwardly by a spring I46. Secured to'the rear end of the shaft I45 is a lock element I41, Fig. 20, having radially opposite engaging pins I48 adapted to selectively engage openings I48 in a gear plate I50, see Figs. 5 and 6, the gear plate being rotatably mounted on the shaft I45 and having a ratchet wheel secured thereto or formed integral therewith, with ratchet wheel I5I, the ratchet wheel having a cylindrical hub I52, see Fig. 4, to which one end of a flexible chain I53. is connected. Theother end of the chain is secured to a tension spring I54, which in turn is mounted on the frame, see Fig. 2.

Cooperating with the ratchet wheel I5I is a engaged, and thus permits the chain I53 to return the timing mechanism Lock element I41 has a roller arm I 66 mount- 3 ed thereon, which carries a roller I56. Mounted on the back of the gear 34 is a single tooth I51,

wheel 34 and rotates the gear plate I50 for each revolution of the/gear wheel 34, the roller arm and roller thus rotating until the roller contacts the inclined nose I58 of the lever I H, see Fig. 2, to thus move the lever II 'I outwardly and move the stop lever 86 through the medium of the rod II8 to stop the machine, as the outward movement of the stop lever 86 lifts the hook en'd I36 to release the bar 89 and thus stop the motor, the rotation of the shaft I08 also permitting the movable head to open. A-stop I59 is provided,

see Fig. 15, to break to permit automatic timing and release of the bar adapted to be engaged by a stop lug I60 on the face of the gear plate I60, to stop the gear plate on its return disengaged movement. The press ing machine is equipped with standard steam supply piping. ior supplying steam to the movable head and to the buck, such piping, see Fig. 1., being generally designated I6I.

It is thus evident that the operation of the machine is as follows: The operator placeshis left hand on the lever 85, and pulls it outwardly, thereby starting the motor. The lever 85 must be held outwardly by the operator in order to permit movement of lever 81, which is therefore moved by the right hand of the operator so as to engage the clutch and start the mechanism and begin the pressing operation. This requires the operator to use both hands and thus prevents accidents. The pressing position being thus obtained, the movable head may be released by vi liing the lever 86, releasing. the clutch mechanism.

and stopping the motor. For automatic operation, the timer pointer is. set to the selected press ing period, and the lever 66 is then automatically moved forward at the completion of the selected period.

It is thus evident that the novel pressing ma-' chine consists of a relatively small number of parts, which may be readily assembled together, and which function so as to obtain the desired pressing operation, the machine being either manually actuated or automatically controlled as desired.

Referring to Figs. 26, 2'7 and 28, the construction shown therein is used when it is desirable to relieve the starting and stopping strain'on the motor, by running the motor continuously.

In this modified construction, the motor is first started by a manual switch (not shown). Theconstruction of the cross lever I62 is similar to the cross lever 89; however, there is no cooperating mechanism between the cross lever I62 and the central control lever I63. The lever I63 is merely provided with a spring I64 tore turn it to normal position when the lever is pulled to release the pressing mechanism-through the rod I65. a

The latch mechanism I66 performs no switching function and is free of the switch I31 and block III. The operator starts the motor and pulls on the left hand lever. This releases the latch mechanism I66 and permits the right hand lever to be pulled to start the pressing mechanism. The central control lever I63 is used for releasing the pressing mechanism, either by manually pulling the same or by the automatic timing device, the motor continuing to run after the release.

While I have described a specific constructiona1 embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that desired changes in the shape, location, and arrangement of the parts, and In their relative functioning, may be made to suit the requirements of different operating positions, withou departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: a

1. In a pressing machine, a fixed buck, a movable head, mechanism ior operating said head comprising an electric motor, a source of electric power, manually operative means for connecting said motor to said source of power, means for disconnecting said motor from said source of power and means for setting said disconnecting means to disconnect said motor after a predetermined period of time.

2. In a pressing machine, a fixed buck, a movable head, toggle mechanism for operating said movable head, means for operating said toggle mechanism comprising an electric motor and clutch mechanism, a source of electric power, manually operative means for connecting said motor to said source of power, manually operative means for connecting said clutch to said motor, said clutch connecting means being locked by said motor connecting meansand being manually operable only after movement of said motor connecting means, means for disconnecting said motor from said source of power and for releasing said clutch mechanism, and means for setting said disconnecting means to disconnect said motor and said clutch after a predetermined period of time.

3. In a pressing machine, a fixed buck, a movable head, toggle mechanism ior operating said movable head, a source of power, clutch mechanism for operatively connecting said source of power to said toggle mechanism, said toggle mechanism including means for straightening said toggle and imparting pressure to said movclutch mechanism, ing means for straightening able head after said toggle has caused said movable head to contact said buck, and means for releasing said clutch mechanism to open said toggleafter a predetermined period of time.

4. In a pressing machine, a fixed buck, amov- I clutch mechanism to said motor, said clutch connecting lever being releasably locked by said motor-connecting lever and being operable only after movement of said motor connecting lever, and a manually operative lever arrangement for disconnecting said motor from said source of power and for releasing said clutch alter the pressing operation;

' JOHN ERICK ERICKSON. 

